Who currently eyed Poppy, looking like he was seconds away from saying something that didn’t need to be said.
“I must speak with a few people, but Magda will show you to your room.” I glanced at Magda, who I trusted to be far more circumspect than her uncle. “Make sure she has a room to bathe in, and she’s sent hot food.”
“Yes—” Magda started to dip into a curtsy but stopped herself. Her cheeks turned pink as she sent me an apologetic glance before turning to Poppy. “Sorry. I’m a little off balance some days.” She patted her stomach. “I blame baby number two.”
“Congratulations,” Poppy said, her cheeks flushed. She turned to me. “Hawke—”
“Later,” I said, hating to cut her off like that, especially surrounded by strangers and with how out of her element she was. But I had to because Phillips was now inside the keep, and things…some things would begin to happen quickly.
Resolved, I joined Elijah. “Where are the others?”
“Making sure the outside is secure,” Phillips answered, his attention trained on Magda and Poppy.
Elijah chuckled. “The outside can’t be any more secure.”
Phillips turned dark eyes on the man, giving him the once-over. “We’ll see that for ourselves, sir.”
The smile on Elijah’s face grew as I briefly met Kieran’s gaze. “Whatever makes you happy.”
Kieran stepped forward, clasping Phillips’ shoulders. “Let’s see what we can get from the kitchens while we get a better idea of the layout here.”
Phillips hesitated, still watching the side door that Poppy had disappeared through. “Should she be alone with that woman?”
“That woman?” The smile faded from Elijah’s face.
I moved between the two. “I’ve been told these are good and trustworthy people. Let’s not offend them,” I suggested, more than aware of Elijah glowering behind me. “Plus, Poppy is not helpless.”
“Yes, but—”
“She is fine,” I cut in. “Go with Kieran so I can make sure everything we need here will be provided.”
His lips pressed into a thin line, but he went with Kieran this time.
“Are we going to kill him?” Elijah asked. “I hope the fuck so.”
I sighed, facing him. “We need to talk.”
“That we do.” Elijah looked over at the crowd of people. “Y’all get going. You got stuff to do. Do it.” He held up a hand. “And do it quietly. We have guests.” He paused. “Special guests.”
Delano briefly closed his eyes, shaking his head as there were a few grumbles. A giggle or two. Still, the crowd dispersed, most disappearing into the numerous rooms or heading for the dining hall. All except for one. A tall, rich-brown-skinned Atlantian.
“Naill,” I said, meeting him halfway. I clasped his arm. “Been a while, hasn’t it?”
“Too long.” His grip was as tight as mine as he smiled, the skin crinkling at the corners of his golden eyes. “Glad you made it here.”
“Same,” I said.
“I’m kind of sad I didn’t get the same welcome,” quipped Delano.
Laughing under my breath, I turned to the pale-haired wolven. “Might be a wee bit suspicious if I know every single one of you.”
“I know.” Delano came forward. “I just wanted to complain.”
I took hold of his arm. “It is good to see you.”
Wintry blue eyes met mine. “I was worried we wouldn’t…” He forced a smile. “You good?”
Yanking the younger wolven in for a hug, I cupped the back of his head. “I’m good.”
“Oh, fuck,” Elijah muttered. “You’re going to make him an even bigger marshmallow.”
“Marshmallow?” I repeated, pulling back.
Delano rolled his eyes. “Yeah, he says I’m like a marshmallow, all gooey and soft on the inside.”
“Am I wrong?” Elijah threw up his hands.
“You’re going to realize just how not soft I am when I knock your ass through that stone wall,” Delano warned, pointing at said wall.
“You wouldn’t dare.” Elijah chuckled, motioning us to follow him to one of the closed wooden doors. “Wanna know why? You’d be all kinds of sad afterward for hurting me.”
“I’m not so sure about that,” Delano muttered, but he did so as he grinned.
Smiling, I shook my head as I followed them into a study. I’d missed them—fucking missed them all. It had been a year since I’d seen some of them. Years for others. It was so damn good to hear them rib one another. All we were missing was my brother. My chest tightened, and I forced myself to inhale and hold the breath until I felt the knot loosening. Only then did I exhale. Malik would be with us soon.
Holding that close to my heart, I looked around as Naill closed the door behind us. Gas sconces cast a faint yellow glow throughout the study. An ancient-looking oak desk sat in the corner. The walls were bare except for a credenza stocked with liquor, and a faded painting of Haven Keep above the fireplace. Several chairs were situated near the lit hearth.
“Want anything to drink?” Elijah walked behind the desk, taking a seat there as Delano went to the credenza. “Got some whiskey and, well, more whiskey.”
“I’m good.” Unhooking my cloak, I dropped it over the back of a chair. “But help yourself.”
Naill shook his head when Delano glanced at him, and then Elijah asked, “So, that’s her? The Maiden?”
“It is.” I adjusted my baldric strap as Delano poured a glass for himself and Elijah. “I want to thank you again, Elijah, for taking the risk to house us.”
“I would do anything for you and our Prince,” he said, tone serious. “Anything to stop those bastard Ascended. There is no risk too great.” He took the glass from Delano, giving him a nod of thanks. “And there’s not anyone here, in this keep or this town, who isn’t willing to take the risk.”
“I know, but being willing to take the risks isn’t the same as living them,” I told him. “The Blood Crown will likely send a division of their armies. Their Royal Knights.”
“And we’ll be ready for them if they do.” Elijah leaned forward. “We all know what is ultimately at risk here. Not just what we’ve carved out in New Haven, but our lives. Our futures. Our children’s futures. And if we’ve got to bleed for that, we will. Look, we all know that everything we built here can come crashing down on us at any moment,” he said, speaking the truth. “And if freeing your brother and preventing this whole damn land from breaking out into war is what does it? Fucking hell of a way to go, if you ask me.”
My respect for the man—for all of those here—knew no limits.
“All of this has been such a long time coming.” Disbelief colored his tone. “Almost can’t believe we’re here. That you have her and Malik’s freedom within our grasp.”
I had a hard time believing it myself, and there was all this anticipation and determination to see it through, but also an undercurrent of unease. Guilt. And a rising sense of loss I couldn’t shake.